However, this release had modest sales, peaking at #106 on
Billboard's album chart, and paled in comparison to Aretha's legendary classic Amazing Grace recording.
The original release was a double vinyl LP issued by
Arista Records in December, 1987. An abridged single CD was also issued removing two tracks (the speech by Rev. Jesse Jackson that opens Side 3 of the vinyl edition, and the Prayer Invocation by Rev. Donald Parsons that appeared on Side 4 of the vinyl edition). In 2003, the double vinyl version was reissued as a two-CD set by ARISTA BMG Heritage – this version was remastered and expanded by adding four previously unissued bonus tracks to the end of the second disc. The edited structure of the original double vinyl edition is retained to preserve the original album experience.
Track listing
Vocalists on tracks are identified by superscripts: (a) Aretha Franklin, (b) Mavis Staples, (c) Reverend Cecil Franklin, (d)
Reverend Jesse Jackson, (e) Reverend Jaspar Williams, (f)
Erma Franklin, (g)
Carolyn Franklin, (h) Joe Ligon of The Mighty Clouds of Joy
Original Vinyl Double Album (1987)
Side one
"Walk In The Light (Traditional) - 4:00 a
"Prayer Invocation by Rev. Cecil Franklin - 5:44 c
"Introduction of Aretha and the Franklin Sisters by Rev. Jesse Jackson - :37 a df g
"Jesus Hears Every Prayer (
Clara Ward) - 5:16 a df g